February 22, 2013

What:This workshop will help caregivers and professionals about the concerns and opportunities frequently experienced by brothers and sisters of people with special needs. Participants will also learn what researchers, clinicians, and siblings themselves say about growing up with siblings who have special needs. Implications for parents and service providers will be discussed throughout the workshop.

February 13, 2013

What:The goal of this group is to support parents in the community by offering strategies, skills and education so that families can be successful. The group also intends to unite parents & caregivers in Great Falls to listen, support, and encourage one another with the daily tasks of loving and caring for our special kids! Guest speaker will be Donna Marchington, State Wraparound Coordinator. Brett Gileo LCP will be meeting and overseeing the kids activities.

What:A series of 6 classes structured to help parents and direct caregivers understand and support children andadolescents with serious mental illness (ADD/ADHD, Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Anxiety Disorders, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Schizophrenia, and other emotional and behavioral issues) while maintaining their own well being. The course is taught by a team of trained NAMI family members and direct caregiver volunteers who know what it’s like to have a child struggling with one of these brain disorders. Topics covered will be the ‘no fault’ approach, the biology of mental illness, getting an accurate diagnosis, an overview of treatment options, the impact on family, communication, crisis management, the systems/agencies involved with your child, the importance of record keeping, and advocating and team building for you and your child.

February 14, 2012

What:Mission StatementOur mission is to establish a statewide, coordinated systemof easily accessible, quality, and affordable respite care services for Montana’s family caregivers of individuals regardless of special needs.

Vision StatementThe vision of the Montana Lifespan Respite Coalition is that all family caregivers have access to a quality community-based respite care service that is affordable and flexible to their needs.

Please RSVP by February 16, 2012 if you will be attending.When:February 23, 20123:30 pm – 5:00 pm

February 13, 2012

What:What is CARETIME? CARETIME is a support group made up of caregivers who have gone through or are going through care giving challenges. The purpose of CARETIME is to provide education, assistance and support for the difficult job of care giving.

Who is CARETIME for? It is for spouses, children, sisters, brothers, friends.... anyone who is caring for or making decisions for a senior loved one. We ask that the caregiver come to our sessions without the individual they care for. We want all conversations to be open and forthright. This type of discussion can occasionally cause distress to the individuals being cared for.

November 15, 2011

What: Easter Seals-Goodwill is starting a caregiver support group in the Missoula area. The group is open toparents and caregivers who have a child with autism, sensory processing issues, or any other physical orbehavioral challenges. Our goal is to provide opportunities for caregivers to meet, learn from and support one another and to participate in discussions or presentations of interest to the group.

September 09, 2011

What:Genetic Alliance Webinar. The arts – including dance, music, storytelling, painting, etc. – support individuals with genetic and other health conditions and their caregivers. While the arts might not offer a "cure" in the traditional medical sense, they can have a deep healing impact on the lives of individuals and families facing health challenges. Presenters will discuss their approaches to working with patients and caregivers, focusing on dance and storytelling. Their experiences shed light on the power of movement and words to inspire confidence, control, and a new framework for living with a disability or health condition.

May 24, 2011

What: This group is designed for parents & caregivers of children with mental health issues. The group meets once a month for the purpose of supporting one another and sharing resources as parents/caregivers of children with mental health issues. The group is open to the community we just ask that personal information be kept confidential. We periodically will have resources come and talk about what resources they offer. A representative from PLUK attends each meeting.

April 29, 2011

What: People with disabilities, especially developmental disabilities, are outliving their parents (their main caregivers) for the first time in history. Future Care Planning Services was launched in Rochester, NY in 2002 as a unique collaborative service of two disability service providers and an aging service provider to encourage and help aging caregivers develop written health, housing, legal, financial and guardianship plans for the future care of their also aging dependent loved ones with disabilities. The panel will consist of: